They couldn't get any local guys on this card?
Alan Belcher counts, I guess (Mississippi, Memphis, and Arkansas all claim him for one of their own) but no Rich Clementi? No Kyle Bradley? No Tim Credeur or Dustin Portier? I'd even accept Wes Shivers. They can pack with the England Fight Nights with lime flavored tomatoe cans from top to bottom, but in the entire Southeastern United States, which is like twice the size of England, they can only find one guy worthy of being on TV?

They can pack with the England Fight Nights with lime flavored tomatoe cans from top to bottom, but in the entire Southeastern United States, which is like twice the size of England, they can only find one guy worthy of being on TV?

Because in America, even in the south, Americans want to watch good fights.

As much as the Europeans want to pass themselves off as our enlightened betters they would rather watch a bunch of 2nd and 3rd tier fighters as long as they're local talent.

Watching Jake Shields shadowbox during the promo, I thought he was gonna punch himself inthe face. Even people who have never trained a day in their lives instinctively know punches go towards the bad guy. I wonder if he's going to have the bright idea to stand with Ellenberger like he did with GSP.

Love how Jake Shields basically called that an early stoppage after trying to grapple the ref, but I guess with emotions running high and his brains a bit on the scrambled side he should be cut some slack.

Because in America, even in the south, Americans want to watch good fights.

As much as the Europeans want to pass themselves off as our enlightened betters they would rather watch a bunch of 2nd and 3rd tier fighters as long as they're local talent.

Not quite. It's clearly a tactic employed by UFC to support MMA development outside US. For example the brits had practically 0 MMA going on back when UFC first visited London in 2002. The fighters coming out from there now are the first generation fighters. From a country with basically zero wrestling prowess in recent history.

The fact is that if UFC wants to keep the ball rolling they need to promote MMA on a global level, and that's why there are so many locals on cards when they hold events in Europe.